Panama Diamond Exchange (PDE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Fiera di Vicenza (FDV) to work together for organising events that will promote the trade in gemstones and jewellery in Latin America. The agreement was signed by PDE Founding Chairman Eli Izhakoff and Fiera di Vicenza President Matteo Marzotto on the trading floor of PDE's soon-to-be-inaugurated headquarters, making it the first official event to be held in the Phase I building of the Exchange.

 Marzotto was accopanied by Corrado Facco, Managing Director of Fiera di Vicenza, and other leading representatives of the Italian jewellery sector.

According to the MOU, PDE and Fiera di Vicenza  will formulate a strategic plan and conduct a feasibility study for projects that include trade fairs, symposiums and industry forums, which will take place in Panama and promote the diamond, gemstone and jewellery business in a region that includes Mexico, Central America, South America and the islands of the Caribbean. The joint programme will begin in 2015.

Speaking after the signing, Izhakoff said, “The involvement in PDE's mission of Fiera di Vicenza, which represents Italian luxury at its finest, emphasises that we are not just building offices, but rather an industry. As a key industry service provider, Fiera di Vicenza's contribution can be invaluable."

Marzotto noted that "While we always will be rooted in Italy, Fiera di Vicenza is going international, working with key regional partners, like PDE, to grow and enrich the jewellery business around the world."

The PDE leadership and the Italian visitors were also hosted by Panama's Minister of the Presidency, Álvaro Alemán, at the Presidential Palace in Panama City's government quarter.

Both FDV’s leaders Marzotto and Mr. Facco were awarded honorary PDE membership and presented with personalised official entry tags into the new Panama Gem & Jewellery Center. Operations at the Exchange are expected to begin shortly with most companies taht have acquired space expected to move in to their premises in the coming weeks.